(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Gremio v Corinthians, Brazilian Serie A, July 12, 2009
Odds: Home: 10/11, Draw: 9/4 & Away: 5/2
Brazil is abuzz with talk of the real Ronaldo following his hat-trick against Fluminense on Wednesday night in Corinthians’ 4-2 victory. The country of samba football has revelled in the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker’s return to domestic football and he has not disappointed.
After promotion from Serie B last season, Corinthians have been in excellent form in recent months. The Timao have won the Campeonato Paulista (local championship before the start of the season) and also saw off Internacional over two legs to claim the Copa do Brazil (Brazilian Cup).
Corinthians league form though has been a little patchy, winning four, losing three and drawing two of their nine games so far in the Brazilian Serie A. They have rested a number of players due to their Copa do Brasil commitments which has affected their league form, Ronaldo, for example has played just four games so far.
This clash with Gremio, as well as being a match that is packed with fine attacking talent, is crucial for both sides, currently in mid-table, to show their title credentials. Both teams are level on 14 points in sixth and seventh respectively and before the weekend were just two wins from leaders Internacional.
Gremio are unbeaten at home this season and undoubtedly have the firepower to trouble the away side. In their last three games they have scored nine goals and eight in their last two league matches.
Thiago Humberto has had a fine season and is emerging as an attacking player of real talent. The 24-year-old striker has scored three goals and provided two assists and is steadily emerging as a fine player from the Gremio production line. Midfielder Ewerton could also pop up with a goal and Douglas Costa could be on the bench, much to the delight of the Manchester United scouts.
The home side will have to be wary of Ronaldo, with his tail up after his fine hat-trick, but also from Dentinho who is beginning to show his goal scoring exploits in Serie B last season were no fluke. The 20-year-old striker finished off a cracking move to score Corinthians’ second on Wednesday night and his hard work buzzing around his larger strike partner is crucial to Corinthians’ attacking play.
All eyes will be on Ronaldo and whether he can play two games in five days, following his heroics against Fluminense he will surely start but Gremio are a tough proposition at home.
101gg predicts: Gremio 2 - Corinthians 2
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